HR Specialist Graduate Programme

This is a 3-year HR Specialist Graduate Programme with DHL Supply Chain, starting in September 2027. The programme involves rotational placements across various HR functions, including People Services, Operational HR, Resourcing, and Compensation and Benefits. The goal is to provide a broad understanding of DHL Supply Chain's people and operating model, with a specialisation in HR.

What You'll Be Doing

Year 1: Building HR Foundations

• Complete rotational placements in People Services and Centres of Excellence teams.
• Support key employee lifecycle activities (onboarding, contracts, data management, policy administration).
• Gain exposure to specialist HR areas like Learning & Development, Reward, and Employee Relations.
• Develop a strong understanding of HR processes, systems, and service delivery.
• Deliver an improvement project focused on enhancing efficiency, quality, or colleague experience within People Services.

Year 2: Applying HR in the Business

• Undertake a placement in Operational HR, supporting managers and colleagues in a live business environment.
• Apply HR policies and frameworks to real business challenges.
• Build stakeholder management skills by partnering with operational leaders.
• Contribute to workforce planning, employee engagement, and people-focused initiatives.
• Lead a business-linked HR project, presenting recommendations to leadership.

Year 3: Specialising and Taking Ownership

• Complete an advanced placement aligned with your career interests.
• Support strategic HR initiatives, organisational change, and business improvement projects.
• Take ownership of HR activity, demonstrating judgement and commercial awareness.
• Deepen expertise in a chosen HR specialism while maintaining broad HR knowledge.
• Deliver a strategic project with measurable business impact.

Skills and Attributes

We are looking for individuals with the potential to grow and develop, possessing:

• Communication Skills: Confident in written and verbal communication with a wide range of people.
• Interpersonal and Relationship-Building Skills: Enjoy working with others and building positive relationships.
• Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: Ability to understand perspectives and support colleagues sensitively.
• Handling Sensitive Information: Trustworthy and discreet with confidential data.
• Problem Solving: Enjoy identifying challenges and proposing practical solutions.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret information and use data for decision-making.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Comfortable in a fast-paced environment and responsive to change.
• Collaborative Working: Work well as part of a team, sharing ideas and supporting others.

Entry Requirements

• Achieved, or on track to achieve, a 2:1 degree or above.
• Willing and able to relocate within commuting distance of your placement.
• Hold a full UK driving license or be able to travel independently to multiple sites.
• Genuine interest in supply chain, logistics, and finance operations.
• Unrestricted right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme.

We are particularly interested in graduates from disciplines such as:

• Human Resource Management
• Human Resources and Business Management
• Organisational Psychology
• Occupational Psychology
• Sociology
• Social Sciences
• Law
• Business Management (with HR-related modules)

We welcome applications from candidates with a genuine interest in Supply Chain and Logistics, even if your degree is not listed.

Benefits

• 25 days' holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Bonus eligible.
• £500 joining payment, with potential for a further relocation allowance of up to £500 in the second year.
• Pay increase eligibility 6 months after joining, with annual salary reviews.
• Holiday Purchase scheme.
• Generous pension scheme (8% employer, 4% employee contribution).
• Free 24/7 confidential GP service.
• Hundreds of retail, leisure, and lifestyle discounts.
• Financial wellbeing support.
• Mental health and wellbeing support.
• Opportunity to join employee networks (Ability, Ethnic and National origin, Religion, Gender, LGBTQ+, Generations).
• Exposure to senior leaders and a strong network of graduates.
• Structured development opportunities.

Application Process

1. Online Application & Assessment: Complete application form, upload CV, and undertake a situational judgement assessment (approx. 1 hour).
2. Video Interview: Record responses to interview questions (up to three attempts per question).
3. Assessment Centre: Attend an in-person assessment centre.